Pocket ash receiver



Dec. 27, 1938. R. c. CAPLES POCKET ASH RECEIVER F iled Oct. 5, 1956 V INVENTOR. BY Eazzzr C7 CfqPzzzs ZMWM/ ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 27, 1938 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 5,

11 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in pocket ash receivers, and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a pocket ash receiver which is extremely simple in construction, and which may be folded into a compact size small enough to be readily carried in the pocket. The device when in open position 1 9 is designed to hold a burning cigarette in such a position that the burning end of the cigarette will be retained in a fire-proof receptacle, and the other end will be held clear of any support, thus preventing this end from becoming con-- 55 taminated. The device also will provide a match and cigarette butt receiver when the device is in open position. The receiver also can hold the cigarette ashes and is designed large enough to hold approximately six cigarette butts and a 30 paper package of burned matches.

The device is designed for individual use and is sanitary and fire-proof in construction. The case may be readily cleaned of cigarette butts and ashes. The receiver for the cigarette butts and ashes may be closed with a double seal cover, and this will permit the device to be carried in the pocket while still holding the'butts and ashes. The device is designed to support a cigarette of any length, and will prevent the cigarette from 3U falling upon a table, or other article of furniture where fire is likely to ensue.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the 35 appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which Figure 1 is an isometric rear view showing the J box in closed position;

Figure 2 is an isometric view showing the device in open position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal enlarged section through the device showing it in closed position;

1: Figure 4 is a section along the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary portion of a modi- 5O fied form of the device.

In carrying out my invention I provide a pocket ash receiver with a box-like receptacle A, a cigarette supporting member B pivoted to the box, and a. fire-proof tray C for receiving the burning 55 end of a cigarette shown at I in Figure 2. A

1936, Serial No. 104,043

hinged end D connects the tray C with the box A. The cigarette-supporting member B forms a cover for the box A when the member is in closed position, while the tray C forms a secondary cover for the same box when the tray is in closed position.

The box A is provided with side walls 2 and 3 and end walls 4 and 5. The side walls 2 and 3 and the end wall 4 carry a U-shaped member 6 that is disposed on the inner surfaces of these walls and projects above the upper edges thereof. The U-shaped member 6 receives the tray or cover C, and the upper edges of the Walls 2, 3 and 4 act as shoulders for the U-shaped member and limit the further movement of the cover C after the cover reaches the closed position.

The cigarette supporting member B is substantially semi-circular in cross section, and is wide enough to support a round or an oval cigarette. The member B is pivoted at 'I--'I to the sides of the box A. One of the pivots l is shown in Figure 5. It will be seen that the wall 3 carries a. pin 8 that rotatably supports the member B. The wall 3 has a recess 9 therein for receiving a torsional spring Ill. This spring is wrapped around the pin 8 and has one end connected to the wall 3 and the other end connected to the member B. This spring is placed under tension when the memberB is swung into closed position, and therefore the spring will tend to swing the member B into open position as soon as the cover C is released from the box A. It is obvious that any other type of spring mechanism may be resorted to for swinging the member B into open position as soon as the cover C is freed from the box In Figure 4 I show the end wall 5 of the box A provided with a recessed upper end I I of a shape that will support the member B when the latter is in open position. The recessed edge I I and the pins I support the member B in the position shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows the member B in closed position. The member in this instance acts as a primary cover for the box A. The free end I2 of the member B rests upon an arcuate edge I3 of a tongue I4 when the member is in closed position. The tongue I4 with the arcuate edge I3 acts as a closure for the space between the end I2 of the member and the box proper. The member B is of the same width as the U-shaped member 6, and therefore when the member B is in closed position and resting on the tongue I 4, it will cooperate with the tongue to act as a cover for the box A.

The hinged end D is preferably of twice the thickness of the walls 2 to 5 inclusive. The wall 5 is spaced inwardly from the end of the box A for providing a recess l5 for receiving the hinged end D. Figure 2 shows the end D hinged to the box 'A at It. The hinge I6 will permit the end D to swing from the recess l5 into a plane paralleling the bottom I! of the box A. In this position the edge l8 of the end D will abut the edge l9 of the bottom I! and will prevent further swinging of the end D. The end D therefore will be held in the same plane as the bottom ll.

Figures 2 and 3 show the end D carrying a plug that has a curved edge 2| designed to abut the edge ll of the end wall 5. The plug 20 is of a sufficient thickness also to abut the end 22 of the member B when the latter is in closed position. It will therefore be seen from Figure 3 that when the end D is in closed position, the plug 2%] will cooperate with the end wall 5 and the edge 22 of the member for sealing the receptacle A. The sealing is such as to cause the receptacle to retain any cigarette ashes, matches and cigarette butts disposed within the receptacle.

Referring again to Figure 2 it will be noted that the tray C is hinged at 23 to the end D. The tray has flanges 24 on three sides thereof, and the side flanges carry recesses 25 on their inner surfaces. The hinge 23 permits the tray C to act as a secondary cover for the receptacle A. Figure 3 shows the tray C in closed position when it will act as a secondary cover for the receptacle. The flanges 24 will receive the U-shaped member 6 and will come to rest on the upper edges of the walls 2, 3 and 4. The sides of the U-shaped member 6 carry projections 25 in their outer surfaces, and these projections are designed to be received in the recesses 25. In this way the cover C is held in closed position.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood.

The entire device is shown in closed position in Figure l, and it will resemble a small box. When it is desired to use the device the side walls 2 and 3 are pressed inwardly by the thumb and-forefinger, and this will release the projections 26 from the recesses 25. The springs it are under sufficient tension to immediately swing the member B toward open position. During this movement the member B will engage with the tray C, and will swing it toward open position. After the member B and the end wall D with the tray C pass dead-center position, they will open the rest of the way by gravity, and the device will assume the position shown in Figure 2. It is obvious that the device may be opened by hand, and in this event the springs l0 need not be provided. When the device is in open position the edge 21 of the tray C will abut the edge 28 of the end D, and will support the tray in the same plane as the end D.

The device will support the cigarette i in the inclined position shown in Figure 2. The burning end of the cigarette will rest in the fire-proof tray C, and the flanges 24 will prevent this end from dropping clear of the tray onto an article of furniture, or any other support. The cigarette leans against the edge l2 of the member B, and this spaces the opposite end of the cigarette above the member B, and therefore this end will not become contaminated by bearing against any supporting surface. It therefore will be seen that the device is not only fire-proof but also sanitary.

The matches, cigarette ashes, and cigarette butts may be placed in the receptacle A.

After the device has been used it may be closed by swinging the member B into closed position, and then moving the end D and the tray C into closed position. The member B will cooperate with the tongue l4 and the plug 20 to act as a primary cover for the box A while the end D and the tray C will constitute a secondary cover. Any ashes, matches, or cigarette butts disposed witin the receptacle A will be retained therein and the double cover will prevent any leakage from the receptacle. The box-like shape of the device, when in folded position, permits it to be carried readily in the pocket.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the device is sanitary, cleanly and fire-proof. The device also is designed for individual use and since it closes friction-tight, it will retain any matter disposed within the receptacle. The device will support a cigarette of any length that is left burning, and will prevent the cigarette from dropping onto the floor, and also will support the cigarette so that the mouth end will be spaced clear of any supporting surface. The length of the tray C is long enough to catch a full length cigarette when left burning. The case box A is deep enough to hold and close upon six or more average length butts. The case box also is long enough to hold burned matches of the book match type. The hinged end D with the dusttight plug 28 is made of double thickness, and thus supports the case cover C in a rigid and horizontal position, even though the cover is held away from the flat surface, such as the table 29, shown in Figure 2.

The curved support of the tongue l4 and the plug 20 not only serves as a rest for the ends of the member B, but also constitute dust-tight connections for the member B.

Coil springs I 0 on each hinge I of the cigarette support B will be strong enough to swing the member B and the tray C into open position when the projections or knobs 26 are freed from the recesses 25.

The device may be made up in gold or enamel cases appropriate for womens use.

In Figure 6 I show a slightly modified form of device. Instead of the springs I0 I provide a spring hinge connecting the members C and D together. A spring 30 is shown mounted on the hinge and its ends bear against the cover C and member D. When the cover is in closed position the torsional spring 30 is under tension. As soon as the cover is freed, the spring 30 will swing it into the same plane as the member D and the momentum will be sufficient to swing the member D into the same plane as the bottom IT. The cigarette supporting member B may then be opened by hand. It is possible to use only one projection 26 and recess 25. The projection 26 may be placed on the U-portion of the member 6 and the recess 25 may be formed in the end flange 24. 1

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, an ash receptable, a cigarette supporting member pivotally carried by the receptacle and when in closed position constituting a primary cover for the receptacle, a fireproof tray, and a link connecting the tray with the receptacle, said tray being swingable into closed position over the receptacle and constituting a secondary cover therefor, the link acting as an auxiliary end piece for the receptacle.

2. In a device of the type described, a receptacle, one wall of the receptacle having its upper edge formed into a recess, a cigarette supporting member pivotally carried by the receptacle at a point near the recessed wall, said member having the same curvature in transverse cross section as the edge of the recess, said member being swingable from a position closing the receptacle into one where it will be supported by the edge of the recess.

3. In combination, an ash receptacle, a cigarette supporting member pivotally connected at one end to the receptacle, said member being arcuate in transverse section, the end wall of the receptacle disposed nearest the pivot points having an arcuate recess therein designed to receive and support the member when in open position, the other end wall of the receptacle forming a dust-tight closure with the member when the member is in closed position, a plug carrying member pivoted to the receptacle, a plug carried thereby and closing the wall recess and the adjacent end of the cigarette supporting member, and a fire-proof tray pivoted to the plug carrying member and constituting a cover for the receptacle when the tray is swung into closed position.

4. In combination, a receptacle, a cigarette supporting member having one end pivoted thereto, said member being arcuate in transverse cross section and contacting with three walls of the receptacle when in closed position for constituting an auxiliary cover for the receptacle, and a cover for the receptacle.

5. In combination, a receptacle, a cover therefor, a link connecting the cover with the receptacle, spring means disposed at the connection between the cover and the link for swinging the cover into the plane of the link when the cover is released from the receptacle, said cover acting as a fire-proof tray when in open position.

6. In combination, an ash receptacle, a cigarette supporting member pivotally carried by the receptacle and when in closed position being disposed within the top of the ash receptacle and acting as a primary closure therefor, and a fire proof tray movable over the top of the receptacle and having sides enclosing the upper walls of the receptacle, said tray constituting a secondary cover for the receptacle.

In-a device of the type described, a receptacle, one wall of the receptacle having its upper edge formed into a recess, a cigarette supporting member pivotally carried by the receptacle at a point near the recessed wall, said member hav- "ing the same curvature in transverse cross section as the edge of the recess, said member being swingable from a position closing the receptacle into one where it will be supported by the edge of the recess, and a fire proof tray movable over the top of the receptacle when said member is in closed position, for acting as a secondary cover for the receptacle.

8. In a device of the type described, a receptacle, one wall of the receptacle having its upper edge formed into a recess, a cigarette supporting member pivotally carried by the receptacle at a point near the recessed wall, said member having the same curvature in transverse cross section as the edge of the recess, said member being swingable from a position closing the receptacle into one where it will be supported by the edge of the recess, and a fire proof tray movable over the top of the receptacle when said member is in closed position, for acting as a secondary cover for the receptacle, and a link operatively connecting the tray with the receptacle, said link acting as a closure for the recessed wall when the tray is in closed position.

9. In combination, an ash receptacle, a cigarette supporting member pivotally connected at one end to the receptacle, said member being arcuate in transverse section, the end wall of the receptacle disposed nearest the pivot points having an arcuate recess therein designed to receive and support the member when in open position, the other end wall and the side walls of the receptacle forming a dust tight closure with the member when the member is in closed position, a closure for the recessed end wall, said closure also cooperating with the cigarette supporting member when the latter is in closed position for causing the member to act as a primary cover for the receptacle, and a tray pivoted to the closure and being movable into a position to act as a secondary cover for the receptacle.

10. In combination, a receptacle, a cover therefore, a link connected to the cover and to the bottom of the receptacle, said link spacing the cover from the receptacle when the cover is in open position, and a cigarette holder pivotally mounted in the receptacle and being swingable from a position covering the top of the receptacle into a position overlying the link, and means for spacing the holder above and parallel with the link when the link and member are in open position.

11. In combination, a receptacle, a cigarette supporting member having one end pivoted to the v receptacle, spring means for yieldingly swinging the member into open position, one wall of the receptacle cooperating with the points of pivot for supporting the member in open position, said member contacting with three walls of the receptacle when in closed position for constituting an auxiliary cover for the receptacle, and a cover for the receptacle and normally holding the member in closed position.

ROBERT C. CAPLES. 

